Vertical Robotics Competition
  • Welcome to VRC!
  • Before We Get Started
    • Phase I Overview
    • Helpful Links
  • Primary Goal: Assembly and Configuration
    • VRC Drone Kit Contents
    • VRC Drone Assembly
      • Arms and Motors
      • Landing Gear, PDB, and Rails
      • ESCs, FC Power Module, and Receiver
      • Flight Controller Enclosure
      • Mounting the Flight Controller
      • Top Plate and Arms
      • FC and ESC Wiring
      • Propeller Adapters
    • RC Transmitter Setup
      • Basic Usage
      • Binding the RC Receiver
      • Setting the Output Mode
      • Setting Up Channels on the RC Transmitter
      • Setting Up Failsafe
    • FC Setup and Calibration w/ QGC
      • PX4 Firmware
      • Airframe
      • Sensors
      • Radio
      • Flight Modes and Kill Switch
      • Power
      • Safety
      • Motor Test
  • Sphero RVR
    • RVR Assembly
    • RVR Programming
  • Battery
    • Overview
    • Charging
    • Storage
  • Checkpoint #1: Flight Test
    • Before You Fly
    • Flight Test
    • After You Fly
  • SECONDARY GOAL: PCC
    • Laptop Setup
      • Setting Up Windows
      • Install Git Bash
      • Clone the VRC Repo
      • Install Anaconda
      • Install VS Code
      • Install SD Card Formatter
      • Install Balena Etcher
      • Install PuTTY
      • Install QGroundControl
    • Peripheral Control Computer (PCC)
      • Physical Assembly
      • Video Tutorial: Flash & Test PCC
      • Flash the PCC
      • Test the PCC
  • Overachiever Goal
    • Vehicle Management Computer (VMC) Setup
      • Preparing the Jetson
      • Flashing the SD Card
      • First Boot
  • 3D Printing Project
    • Project Overview
    • Sr. Design Project
    • Rotor Guards
  • Diving Deeper
    • Control Loops
    • Glossary
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  1. Primary Goal: Assembly and Configuration
  2. VRC Drone Assembly

Flight Controller Enclosure

This page shows how the FC is installed in its 3D printed enclosure.

PreviousESCs, FC Power Module, and ReceiverNextMounting the Flight Controller

Last updated 4 years ago

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The FC comes with a 3D-printed enclosure, which still has to be assembled. It consists of a top part, a bottom part, a tiny reset button, and several screws. First, make sure the reset button is installed inside the enclosure. It should fit in a hole in the side, next to the hole for the micro USB connector.

The FC will ship with small pieces of tape on top of its connectors. You should take them off using an exacto knife or small tool. Be sure not to damage any of the connectors.

Now, the FC can be installed into the bottom part of the enclosure with four short hex screws (7 mm). The screws will thread into the bottom half of the 3D printed case. Be careful not to overtighten so you don't strip or crack the plastic.

You may find that the screws included with the reset switch are too narrow and don't grab into the 3D-printed enclosure. If this is the case, you can find larger screws that will thread into the plastic in the frame box (Box 1). These screws are shown in the photo below on the right.

The photo below shows the FC mounted into the bottom part of the enclosure.

After the FC is installed into the bottom case, you can put the top case on and turn the whole enclosure upside down. Use four screws to mount the top case to the bottom. Once again, be careful when tightening.

Now is a good time to insert the 16GB micro SD card into the FC as shown in the photo below. The SD card will come in handy throughout VRC and will allow for data logging.

The final step in this section is to place the FC label on the top plate. This gives a visual representation of ports and will come in handy when we begin to wire everything together. Not to mention it looks really cool!

Reset button mounted in place
Removing tape from FC connectors
Larger screws from Box 1 used for mounting FC in 3D printed enclosure
FC mounted to bottom of case with larger screws from Box 1
FC installed inside the 3D printed enclosure and SD card inserted
FC with label